Dosage device for dishwashers and laundering machines



W. HERTEL Apr-i120, 1965 DOSAGE DEVICE FOR DISHWASHERS AND LAUNDERINGMACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 20, 1962 Fig.2

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April 20, 1965 w. HERTEL 3,178,915

DOSAGE DEVICE FOR DISHWASHERS AND LAUNDERING MACHINES Filed Feb. 20,1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.4

United States Patent 3,178,915 DOSAGE DEVICE FOR DISHWASHERS ANDLAUNDERING MACHINES Wilhelm Hertel, Traunreut, Germany, assignor toSiemens. Electrogerate Aktiengesellschaft, Berlin, Germany, acorporation of Germany Filed Feb. 20, 1962, Ser. No. 174,618 Claimspriority, applicatipiiggrmany, Feb. 22, 1961,

7 6 Claims. (Cl. 68-17) My invention relates to automatic washingappliances, particularly dishwasher-s and laundering machines, and in amore particular aspect to a dosing device for issuing predeterminedquantities of detergent or other additives to the washing water in suchhome appliances.

It is known to provide washing appliances with dosing devices forautomatically dispensing such additive agents as soaps, detergents,softening means, rinsing aids and the like. As a rule such devicescomprise a magazine container for the additive substance, and adispensing mechanism which releases the liquid from the magazinecontainer in dependence upon the washing operation of the machine. Theknown dosing devices contain the cleansing or other additive substancein liquid 'or pulverulent form. Dosing devices for dispensing liquidsrequire great precision in manufacture. Dosing devices for pulverulentsubstances have the disadvantage that the powder occupies relativelymuch space and has the tendency to form lumps which may clog thedispensing device. Furthermore since the housewife using the dishwasheror laundering machine may sometimes touch the substance when refillingthe magazine, the cleansing substance or other additive must stay belowa certain concentration not injurious to the human skin.

It is among the objects of my invention to devise a dosing apparatus forautomatic dishwashers and laundering machines which is suitable foraccommodating large quantities of cleansing agents or other additivesand secures a more reliable dispensing operation than devices operatingwith pulverulent substances, while requiring less precision Work in itsmanufacture, and which can readily be so designed as to prevent toagreater extent any contact of the human skin with the additivesubstance being used in the machine.

According to the invention the magazine container of the dosing deviceis provided with addition substance in a plurality of apportionedquantities that are sufiicient" for at least one Washing operation ofthe machine and have each a given spatial shape, and the dispensingmechanism of the device, controlled by the washing operation of themachine, is adapted to the same concrete shape of the portions ofadditive substance. The cross section of the magazine container,according to another feature of the invention, is preferably adapted tothe cross section of the shaped body of additive, and the dispensingmechanism is designed to empty the magazine container each time over itsentire cross section up to a given height.

According to further features of the invention, the additive substanceis contained in the magazine in the shape of a rod, and the dispensingmechanism of the device severs a portion from the rod each time itperforms a dispensing operation. Depending upon the strength of the rodmaterial, the dispensing mechanism may thus chip, cut, rasp, or grind aportion from the rod material. The rod of additive substance can benotched for facilitating the proper portions to be broken or pushed off.

According to another, preferred feature of the invention, the magazinecontainer is provided with additive substance in portions of much largernumber than that of the washing operations to be served thereby, all ofthese portions having the same size and shape, and the dispensingmechanism being designed to issue each time a "ice given number of theseshaped bodies of additive substance. In this case the bodies of additivesubstance may consist of tablets, pellets or granules.

For preventing the individual shaped portions of additive substance fromdisintegrating due to humidity or from sticking together, each quantitycan be coated or enveloped in material that is not soluble in cold waterbut readily soluble in hot water such as gelatine or gelatinoussubstances for example. Preferably, the individually dispensablequantities have the shape of tablets and are stacked upon each other ina magazine tube. In this case it sufiices if only one side of eachtablet is coated to prevent sticking. To avoid the additive substancefrom contacting the skin of a person handling the magazine refills, theyare preferably inserted into the magazine container together with atleast part of the wrapper. However, the carton or Wrapper of the tabletsor other bodies of additive, or part of such packaging material, mayalso be designed to serve as a magazine container.

The above-mentioned and further features of the invention, as well asthe advantages achieved thereby, will be apparent from the followingdescription in conjunction with the embodiments of the inventionillustrated by way of example on the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows in schematic perspective a detergent dispenser for homewashing appliances, comprising a magazine with ball-shaped bodies ofdetergent.

FIG. 2 shows schematically a dosing device for issuing tablet-shapedbodies of additive substance from a magazine into a washing appliance.

FIG. 3 illustrates schematically a different embodiment of a device alsosuitable for the issuance of detergent tablets and the like into thewashing liquid of appliances;

FIG. 4 is a schematic flow diagram of a dishwasher with an inlet ductfordetergent portions dispensed from a device according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows schematically by a vertical section a drumtype laundrywashing machine with a device according to the invention; and

FIG. 6 shows schematically a modified container for the detergenttablets.

The dosage issuing device according to FIG. 1 comprises a magazinecontainer 4 of tubular shape which contains detergent in form of balls5. A rotatable disc 3 has a bore 7 which, when registering with thetubular container 4, can receive a single ball 5. The shaft 6 of disc 3is connected with a schematically represented drive 2 which iscontrolled from a likewise schematically illustrated program controller-1 of the dishwasher or laundering machine (not further illustrated inFIG. 1). During each rotation of disc 3 a single ball 5 of detergentdrops into the bore 7 and then travels on a fixed plate 9 until itenters into an outlet tube 8 from which it drops into the water in thewashing chamber of the appliance. The drive 2 may consist of asnap-action mechanism which is coupled with the program controller to bereleased thereby. Depending upon the number of rotations of the disc 3thus released, a corresponding number of balls 5 passes through theoutlet tube 8 into the washing chamber. The number of rotations can becontrolled or preselected, for example, in accordance with the amount ofwater being supplied or the degree or soiling of the dishes or laundryto be washed. If desired, several magazines 4 can be mounted above thedisc 3 and may contain respectively different addition agents such aswater softeners, soap, starch or bleach substances.

In the dosing device according to FIG. 2 the magazine container 4a isalso tubular although in this embodiment it may also have a crosssection of square or other shape. The detergent or other additivesubstance is charged into the container 4a in the form of individualtablets 10 whose cross-sectional shape corresponds essentially to thatof the magazine container. The dispensing device comprises anelectromagnet 11 of the solenoid type whose armature 13 is connectedwith a pusher rod 16 which passes through lateral openings in the bottomportion of the magazine container 4a. The armature 13 is biased by apull-spring 14. When an electric switch 12, forming part of theautomatic program controller of the washing appliance is closed, themagnet coil 11 is energized and pulls the armature 13 to the right, asindicated by an arrow 13a, in opposition to the force of the spring 14,thereby pushing a single tablet from the magazine through an opening 17into the washer space enclosed by the sheet metal housing 17a of theappliance, the opening 17 being normally closed by a sufiiciently sealedlid 15. Thereafter the magnet coil 11 is de-energized .by opening of theswitch 12 so that the armature 13 with the pusher rod moves to the leftand is ready for the next dispensing oper ation.

In the embodiment of the apparatus shown in FIGI3, the tablets 10 ofdetergent or other additive substance are placed flat beside each otherin the magazine 4!). The inner cross section of the magazine issufficiently adapted to the cross-sectional, for example rectangular,cross section of the tablets 10. Located beneath the magazine container4b is a slider 18 with an opening 22 so dimensioned that it can receiveonly one tablet at a time which then rests upon a support 1711 firmlysecured to the housing structure 17a! of the appliance. The slider 18 isbiased by a pull-spring 14 and is controlled by a bimetal strip 20. Whenthe strip 20 is sufiiciently heated, it pushes the slider 18 to theright in opposition to the force of spring 14, thus opening the lid anddropping a single tablet 10 into the washer chamber. The bimetal strip20, engageable with a lug 19 of the slider 18, is surrounded by anelectric heater winding 21 which causes the strip to bend when theswitch 12 is closed. As in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the switch 12 inFIG. 2 preferably forms part of the program control device or timer ofthe appliance.

To promote complete and rapid dissolution of the additive substance inthe washing chamber, the dispensing device may be equipped with meansfor comminuting the additive substance. For example, in a dishwasherequipped with a circulatory system for rinsing water impelled by a pump,the pump of the water circulation system may also serve as a comminutingdevice, this being the case in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 anddescribed presently.

In FIG. 4, the sheet metal housing of the dishwasher appliance isdenoted by 23. It comprises a nozzle system 24 for issuing jets of hotwater under pressure. It will be understood that the nozzle system isshown only sche- 'through a pipe 28 back to the pump 26. The opening forthe supply of the individual'tablets or other shaped bodies of detergentor additive substance is located at a branch pipe 29. The vanes or gearsof the pump 26 destroy the shaped tablet or body of additive substance,thus promoting its dissolution in the rinsing water. The dispensa'tionof the body of additive agent is preferably effected prior to the momentwhen the pump is switched on by the programming controller of theappliance, and the supply opening at branch pipe 29 is preferably closedby a sealing flap or valve during operation of the pump 26.

FIG. 5 shows a washing machine of the drum type. The drum 30 isrotatable within a sheet metal housing 31 and is to be charged withlaundry through a lateral opening 32 which is closed during washingoperation. The drum 30 is fixed on a drive shaft 33., .Mounted above theshaft 33 is a catch sheet or tray 34. The detergent 4; tablet 1b issupplied from a dosing device of the type described above and passesthrough a pipe 35 onto the sheet 34 where it is ground to particlesbetween the sheet 34 and the adjacent wall of drum 30. For this purposeit is preferable to provide the drum wall with sharpedged bosses 36 orthe like projections which have a grating or grinding action upon thetablets caught in the wedge-shaped interspace between the sheet 34 andthe drum. 7

The magazine container in a device according to the invention,containing the detergent or other additive in form of tablets, pelletsor the like, can be made partly of transparent material to permitinspection of the amount of additive bodies still available in thedevice. As memtioned, the container, such as the tube 4 shown in FIG. 1,may also consist of the enclosure or packaging material in which thetablets are sold to the customer, so that it is only necessary to removea depleted tube and insert a new, filled tube. Such a tube preferablyconsists of transparent plastic.

FIG. 6 shows several stacked detergent tablets 51 in a tube 53, thetablets 51 each having protecting sheets 52 provided only on one side.The tube 53 may constitute the container for the tablets 51, and may besecured as a magazine to a machine at the tablet entrance.

To those skilled in the art, it will be obvious upon a study of thisdiclosure that my invention permits of various modifications withrespect to structural details, design of components and theirarrangement, and hence can be given embodiments other than particularlyillustrated and described herein, without departing from the essentialfeatures of my invention and within the scope of the claims annexedhereto.

I claim:

1. With an automatic washing appliance having a washing chamber, meansfor supplying water to said chamber and control means for controllingthe washing operation of the water, in combination, an apparatus forsequentially issuing shaped portions of additive substance to the waterin dependence upon said washing operation, said apparatus comprising amagazine having a magazine space dimensioned for receiving a totalnumber of said shaped portions beside each other and having an innercross section substantially matching that of said shaped portions, saidtotal number being sufiicient for a plurality of complete washingoperations, and a dispensing device engageable with said magazine andconnected with said control means to be controlled thereby fordispensing during each washing operation a number of said portions fromsaid magazine and granulating means communicating with said water supplymeans for comminuting the dispensed quantity.

2. With an automatic washing appliance having a wash ing chamber, meansfor supplying water to said chamber and control means for controllingthe washing operation of the water, in combination, a closing apparatusfor issuing additive substance to the water in dependence upon saidwashing operation, said apparatus comprising a magazine having acapacity corresponding to a total quantity of additive substancesuflicient for a plurality of complete washing operations, said magazinewhen in operative condition containing said substance in at least onecoherent piece of a given spatial shape, dispensing means connected withsaid control means to be controlled thereby for dispensing a givenshaped portion of said substance from said magazine, and comminutingmeans disposed between said dispensing device and said chamber forcomminuting said dispensed quantity before it reaches the water in saidchamber.

3. In apparatus according to claim 2, said dispensing device having amember movable transversely through said magazine space and having agiven height less than that of said magazine space so as to dischargesaid magazine space up to said given height over theentire cross sectionof said magazine each time said dispensing device is actuated.

4. In apparatus according to claim 2, said shaped portions of additivesubstance in said magazine space having in totality the shape of a rod,and said dispensing device removing each time a given longitudinalportion of the rod.

5. In apparatus according to claim 1, said additive substance beingpresent in said apparatus in at least partly packaged form and havingpackaging material forming part of said magazine when in use.

6. With an automatic washing appliance having a Washing chamber, meansfor supplying water to said chamber and control means for controllingthe washing operation of the water, in combination, an apparatus forissuing additive substance to the water in dependence upon said washingoperation, said apparatus comprising a magazine having a storagecapacity for a total quantity of additive substance corresponding to aplurality of complete washing operations and containing when inoperative condition, said substance in at least one coherent piece of agiven spatial shape, a dispensing device engaging said magazine andconnected with said control means to be controlled thereby fordispensing upon each control operation from said total quantity a givenshaped portion of said substance from said magazine, said means forsupplying water to said chamber including a pump, and granulating meansfor comminuting the dispensed quantity, said granulating means includingsaid pump.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS WALTER A. SCHEEL,Primary Examiner.

IRVING BUNEVICH, Examiner.

1. WITH AN AUTOMATIC WASHING APPLIANCE HAVING A WASHING CHAMBER, MEANSFOR SUPPLYING WATER TO SAID CHAMBER AND CONTROL MEANS FOR CONTROLLINGTHE WASHING OPERATION OF THE WATER, IN COMBINATION, AN APPARATUS FORSEQUENTIALLY ISSUING SHAPED PORTION OF ADDITIVE SUBSTANCE TO THE WATERIN DEPENDENCE UPON SAID WASHING OPERATION, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING AMAGAZINE HAVING A MAGAZINE SPACE DIMENSIONED FOR RECEIVING A TOTALNUMBER OF SAID SHAPED PORTIONS BESIDE EACH OTHER AND HAVING AN INNERCROSS SECTION SUBSTANTIALLY MATCHING THAT OF SAID SHAPED PORTIONS, SAIDTOTAL NUMBER BEING SUFFICIENT FOR A PLURALITY OF COMMPLETE WASHINGOPERATIONS, AND A DISPENSING DEVICE ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID MAGAZINE ANDCONNECTED WITH SAID CONTROL MEANS TO BE CONTROLLED THEREBY FORDISPENSING DURING EACH WASHING OPERATION A NUMBER OF SAID PORTIONS FROMSAID MAGAZINE AND GRANULATING MEANS COMMUNICATING WITH SAID WATER SUPPLYMEANS FOR COMMINUTING THE DISPENSED QUANTITY.